I thought I was strong when I first started Gymnastics Strength Training (GST). I'd been lifting weights in the gym for years and increasing my squat, deadlift, chin-up, overhead press and bench numbers. But it didn't prepare me for GST, especially Straight-Arm Scapular Strength (SASS) movements.

As humans, we like to push and pull objects with bent-arm strength. The default motor pattern is to use our biceps and triceps.

Most of us have very little awareness of straight-arm strength because we have poor scapular motor control regarding protraction, retraction, elevation and depression.

Without awareness, how can we train it?

If we don't train it, how do we strengthen it?